BRAVE Presents 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions

BRAVE Presents is on Saturday 17 October 2026 at Bradford Arts Centre, St Peter’s House, 1 Forster Square, Bradford, BD1 4TY.

Afternoon workshops and drop-in activities run from 3pm to 6pm, followed by the BRAVE Finale evening performance from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

BRAVE Presents is a ticketed event and there are two ticket types.

Afternoon Workshops ticket – gives you access to everything taking place between 3pm and 6pm, including the scheduled workshops and drop-in activities. Adult tickets are available at £5, £10 or £15 – you choose the amount you would like to pay. Children’s tickets are £3.

Evening Performance ticket – gives you access to the BRAVE Finale from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets are available at £1, £5 or £10 – again, you choose the amount you would like to pay. There is no separate child price for the evening; if you are bringing children, you are welcome to choose one of the lower ticket amounts for them.

If you would like to attend both the afternoon and the evening, please book one Afternoon Workshops ticket and one Evening Performance ticket for each person attending. Everyone attending needs a ticket.

Please book in advance to secure your place. BRAVE is a popular event and tickets are likely to sell out.

No. Your Afternoon Workshops ticket gives you access to all of the BRAVE activities between 3pm and 6pm.

You can decide which workshops you would like to try when you arrive. Some workshops have limited capacity, so please arrive around 10 minutes before the session you want to join.

The African Drumming and Arts & Craft Space are drop-in sessions running between 3pm and 6pm.

Bradford Arts Centre is in Bradford city centre, around a 10-minute walk from both Bradford Forster Square and Bradford Interchange. There is also a bus stop outside the Arts Centre.

Bradford Arts Centre does not have a public car park. The venue recommends The Broadway car park, Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1JR, which is a short walk away. The Broadway car park is open from 6am to 1am; current tariffs are £6 for 5–10 hours. It is cashless and accepts card or smartphone payment. Accessible and parent-and-child bays are available.

The Leisure Exchange car park, Vicar Lane/George Street, Bradford, BD1 5LD/BD1 5AA, is another large 24-hour city-centre option. Other council and private car parks are available around the city centre.

Important: Bradford Arts Centre advises drivers not to enter “Bradford Arts Centre” into your sat nav because some nearby roads are bus-lane access only. If you are parking at The Broadway, use the car park postcode BD1 1JR instead.

Yes. Bradford Arts Centre has undergone a major refurbishment and now has step-free entrances on both sides of the building and lift access to all floors.

The venue also has a Changing Places toilet on the ground floor, accessible toilets throughout the building, dedicated wheelchair spaces in the theatre, a faith/quiet room, and large-print and Braille maps available from Reception.

The venue may also be able to provide accessible parking by prior arrangement. If you have a specific access requirement, please contact Bradford Arts Centre on 01274 303340 or info@bdartscentre.co.uk, or contact BRAVE at info@swirleducation.co.uk before the event so we can help.

No. BRAVE stands for Black Roots and Voices Expressed. It is proudly Black-led and centres Black artists, Black culture and art forms with Black roots, but BRAVE is for everyone.

We want people from all backgrounds to come together, take part, learn, enjoy the work and celebrate Black creativity.

Both. BRAVE is a family-friendly festival, but the workshops are not just children’s activities. Adults are very welcome to come on their own, with friends or with family.

Most workshops are suitable from age 5, while Rap & Rhyme and Live Loop Pedal & Beat Making are suitable from age 10. The Arts & Craft Space is for all ages. Please check the programme for the age guidance for each individual session.

BRAVE is designed for adults and children to experience together. The point is not for parents and carers to sit at the side while children take part – we warmly encourage everyone in the room to join in, try something new and enjoy the session together.

Everyone attending the afternoon needs an Afternoon Workshops ticket, including accompanying adults and children. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

If you have an access need or another reason that means you cannot physically take part in every activity, you are still very welcome – please speak to the workshop leader or a member of the BRAVE team.

No. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the workshops and throughout the festival.

BRAVE is a shared family experience and we positively encourage adults and children to take part together.

The minimum ages are there to help make sure participants can fully take part in the session.

Some workshops are suitable from age 5 and some from age 10. If your child is below the stated minimum age, we recommend choosing another activity that is suitable for them. The Arts & Craft Space is open to all ages.

Yes. You do not need previous experience.

BRAVE is about trying things, getting involved and enjoying Black arts and culture in a welcoming environment. The workshops are designed to be accessible to beginners, and facilitators will help you take part at a level that works for you.

The workshops are open level. Facilitators will guide the group and, where appropriate, offer different ways to take part so that complete beginners and people with more experience can enjoy the sessions.

For dance workshops, wear comfortable clothing that you can move in and trainers or other comfortable, secure footwear.

For the other workshops, wear whatever you feel comfortable in. You do not need to bring specialist equipment.

Bringing a refillable bottle of water is a good idea, especially if you are planning to take part in several active sessions.

BRAVE aims to be disability-inclusive. The programme marks the accessibility information for each workshop, and several sessions are listed as disability-inclusive with support.

We know that access needs are individual, so if you would like to talk through a particular workshop or the support you may need, please contact us at info@swirleducation.co.uk before the event.

Bradford Arts Centre itself has step-free access, lift access to all floors, accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet.

The BRAVE Finale is listed as suitable for all ages and families are warmly welcome.

However, BRAVE champions authentic Black voices and creative freedom, and some performances may include strong language or explore themes such as identity, racism, inequality or lived experience.

Parents and carers are encouraged to use their discretion for younger audience members.

Please email info@swirleducation.co.uk and we will be happy to help.

For venue-specific access or travel questions, you can also contact Bradford Arts Centre on 01274 303340 or info@bdartscentre.co.uk.